Fairfield planning commission forwards soil‑testing ordinance to council after clarifying sample requirements

The commission voted Dec. 4 to forward a revised soil ordinance to the Town Council after staff clarified changes to testing timing and sample counts.

Staff acknowledged the packet on the town website contained an old version of the soil ordinance but said procedural notice requirements were met and the commission could act. The proposed revisions clarify that soil testing is required prior to site‑plan approval or a building permit when testing has not previously been completed, and that sampling frequency depends on parcel size: three sample sites for properties under one acre, five sample sites for properties between one and five acres, and, for properties over five acres, a base of five sample sites plus one additional sample for each additional five acres (for example, a 10‑acre property would require six samples).

Commissioners asked whether the town should accept a testing synopsis rather than a full technical report to avoid imposing disproportionate costs on applicants. Staff said the ordinance asks for a soil report that documents contaminated areas, sample locations, process and procedures, and supporting data with a professional signature; staff said they would rely on industry standards and that a professional synopsis can aid review without requiring the town to pay for additional engineering work.

After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to send the amended soil ordinance (Fairfield Town code 5.3) to the Town Council; roll call recorded unanimous support by commissioners present. Commissioners also discussed capping and remediation depths and said they used EPA recommendations and comparable ordinances to develop numeric thresholds.